WASHINGTON (ABP) — The mystery of the memo has been solved.
The memorandum that said getting involved in the Terri Schiavo controversy was “a great political issue” for Republicans was authored by an aide to freshman Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.).
Martinez admitted April 6 that the memo had originated with his staff. In a press statement, he said, ''This type of behavior and sentiment will not be tolerated in my office.” The staffer, later identified as Martinez legal counsel Brian Darling, resigned.
“This is an important moral issue, and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue,” the memo read. “This is a great political issue, because Sen. [Bill] Nelson [D] of Florida has already refused to become a co-sponsor and this is a tough issue for Democrats.”
The existence and origin of the unsigned memo became controversial after it was reported by ABC News March 18. Democrats pointed to it as proof that Republicans were exploiting the Schiavo controversy for political gain. Some conservatives suggested the memo was a dirty trick played by Democrats.
Martinez first denied ever seeing the document. But later Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who cooperated with Martinez in passing a bill designed to prolong Schiavo's life, said he received a copy of the memo from Martinez on the Senate floor.
The memo singled out Nelson, Martinez's Florida colleague, as a prime target for Republicans when he runs for re-election in 2006. Martinez said he apologized to Nelson.